(Part 2) Top products from r/litecoinmining

I have a setup pretty similar to yours (same mobo, same cards, maybe same processor, can't see your fully); here are some things I've learned about it.


First is that to run more than 5 cards per rig you are going to need to run Linux. I've tried 5 cards on Windows 7 and it ran but unstably for a while with hand-picked older drivers. Supposedly Windows 8 can handle 5 without trouble, but I haven't tried it. I haven't been able to get Win7 to run 6; I don't think Win8 will either. I wanted to run windows for voltage control (my first cards were Sapphires), but it wouldn't do what I needed. Linux doesn't have voltage control, but with your cards that shouldn't be an issue because they can (usually) run the F43 BIOS that runs at a much more reasonable 1.09v. I would strongly suggest flashing them sooner rather than later; it really helps with heat among other things.


(btw, if you are using milk crates for cases, these will fit 6 cards better than the staples/home depot ones: http://www.amazon.com/24qt-Blue-Red-Green-Crates/dp/B007IUPR0I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370712198&sr=8-1&keywords=milk+crates)


I tried Xubuntu 13.04, Lubuntu 12.04, and BAMT on usb drives. I could not get the 'buntus to run stably. They would crash, and they had issues/bugs with rebooting where I would have to be physically next to the machine pushing the power button. I'm not blaming it on the distro; the problem may have been installing it to a usb flash drive. BAMT Litecoin ran like a rock with 5 cards after I updated the Catalyst drivers, but I could not get it to run with more than 5. Any time I plugged a 6th card into the mobo anywhere, X Windows would not start. I eventually went with Debian 7.0 Wheezy, Catalyst 13.4, and the latest cgminer installed on a regular HD. Note that you have to compile Cgminer to work on wheezy (the readme has instructions and dependencies); don't forget to download and copy the ADL includes into the ADL_SDK folder if you go this route.


So far, Debian has been running smoothly with 6 cards. You might even be able to do 7, but you would probably need another power supply with an Add2PSU, and 7 cards don't fit very well in even a 24 qt milk crate.


For linux, your remote admin choices are more limited, but the OS is designed to use them so I think it works more seamlessly. You can use simple SSH to control the boxes via command line. If you don't know the linux command line this may be a pain. You can also use xrdp ("sudo apt-get install xrdp" without the quotes at the command line) to connect from any computer and get a full graphical interface. You can connect through windows using Remote Desktop Connection. There are other options including various versions of VNC, but those are the ones I like.


I am planning on running ANUBIS on a Raspberry Pi to get a similar kind of remote monitoring capability to the one BAMT provides out of the box. I haven't yet set that part up; if you message me I can give you an update when I do. Anubis is also supposed to be able to do remote control of cgminer; this would be good because then you'd only need one computer that was accessible from the internet.


Oh, and you will need powered risers. I got mine from BuyAHash. His username on Reddit is mrstickball . I had a great experience; he had great communication and the shipping was fast once the risers arrived from the factory.

I actually just had an electrician in to do a circuit upgrade last week for my mining!

2000w at 120v is roughly 17 amps. This is actually a bit above the recommended continuous operation limit of a 20 amp circuit - you're only supposed to run at 80% rated capacity if running for more than 3 straight hours. It's close enough you could probably get away with a 120v 20 amp circuit per unit, especially if you're actually pulling less power - is 2000 watts the rated power of the PSUs (like two 1000 watt PSUs), or is that actually measured? I managed to burn out a GFCI pulling 19 amps through it, but that was actually measured with a clamp ammeter, not the theoretical max of the system.

You could have them do a single run of 240v 30 amp with an L6-30 plug, then run it into a PDU for distribution to the systems. The run would likely be $300, then another $100 for a dirt cheap PDU. Running at 240v is more efficient than 120v, plus it makes it easier to get the necessary power. One L6-30 would be enough to run your 3 rigs within the safety margins, and if they pull less current than they're rated for, you might be able to run a 4th on that. You could also spend a bit more for a metered PSU, which has a current display built into it so you'd know exactly how much power you're actually using (I am using this one from Tripp Lite, although I got a deal on it). You can find some cheap ones at http://www.refurbups.com/APC-PDU

As for what I specifically did - I had one big 100 amp line run to a subpanel, then put in 4 circuits in the mining room; 2 L6-30 240v 30 amp and two 5-20 120v 20 amp. The L6-30s each run 4 rigs with a bit of expansion room, and the 5-20s run cooling and peripherals (like routers).

Prior experience assembling normal computers is certainly helpful.
Also, here's the hardware I used to achieve 3.9 mh/s.

1 of these
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Computer-Corp-Motherboards-Z77A-G45/dp/B007QWI9TY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375396364&sr=8-1&keywords=msi+z77-g45a

1 of these
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Celeron-2-60GHz-Processor-BX80637G1610/dp/B00B4BJYVU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375396383&sr=8-1&keywords=celeron+g1610

1 of these
http://www.amazon.com/LEPA-1600-Watts-Crossfire-Certified-G1600-MA/dp/B007W5TV6K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375396400&sr=8-1&keywords=lepa+1600

6 of these
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Mini-Displayport-PCI-Express-Graphic-GV-R795WF3-3GD/dp/B007581QHG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375396424&sr=8-1&keywords=gigabyte+7950

1 of these
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Series-120GB-internal-MZ-7TD120BW/dp/B009NHAF06/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375396482&sr=8-2&keywords=samsung+840

1 of these
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZDJ42O/?tag=pcpapi-20

2 of these
http://www.amazon.com/Micro-SATA-Cables-Express-Flexible/dp/B0057M16Q8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375396635&sr=8-2&keywords=pci+risers

1 of these
http://www.amazon.com/Powered-Flexible-Extender-Bitcoin-Mining/dp/B00CQB1RIU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375396667&sr=8-1&keywords=powered+pci+risers

3 of these
http://www.amazon.com/Powered-Flexible-Extender-Bitcoin-Mining/dp/B00CQBCKPY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375396667&sr=8-2&keywords=powered+pci+risers

1 of these
http://www.lowes.com/pd_328959-80752-142430B-DS_0__?productId=3468765&Ntt=shelves&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dshelves&facetInfo=

2 of these
http://www.lowes.com/pd_95021-1621-3733_0__?productId=1114391&Ntt=box+fan&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dbox%2Bfan&facetInfo=

a shitload of these
http://www.lowes.com/pd_292678-1781-45-518UVL_0__?productId=3201639&Ntt=zip+ties&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dzip%2Bties&facetInfo=

And the lid from the cardboard box the motherboard came in. Makes a perfect motherboard tray.

Edit: Forgot to mention the important bits. Windows 8, catalyst 12.8, cgminier 3.1.1

setx GPU_MAX_ALLOC_PERCENT 100
setx GPU_USE_SYNC_OBJECTS 1
color 02
timeout /t 45
cgminer --scrypt -o coinotron.com:3334 -u user -p pass --no-submit-stale --gpu-fan 80 --gpu-reorder --thread-concurrency 22400 --lookup-gap 2 --gpu-engine 1125 --gpu-memclock 1250 -w 256 -I 19 -g 1

I was planning on skipping the small 120mm fans altogether and just stacking three nicer box fans (something like this) where the door would be. I figured that would be enough to keep them cool. Then just exhaust it out the back through a window. If you push the air fast enough, you don't even need cooled air. Ambient temps should be enough. 38C air is still way cooler than the 75C cards.

That being said, let me know how the inline works out. I picked up a 325CFM one without doing much researching thinking that would be enough. Man did I learn that lesson the hard way lol

I have used a Startech pci -> pcie adapter card (http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Express-Adapter-Card-PCI1PEX1/dp/B0037ECAM2) which works well.



That + a 5850 or 5870 for $100 is gonna be your best bet.




Other than that, you're SoL.



www.netcodepool.org

I've been using the vinyl bumpers recommended in this guide:

http://www.cryptobadger.com/2013/04/build-a-litecoin-mining-rig-hardware/

They work perfectly.

http://www.amazon.com/LEDwholesalers-GYO2402-6-Inch-Hydroponic-Booster/dp/B003YFADW8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1368564334&sr=8-3&keywords=blower+fan

With Dryer style ducting works like a champ. I use it for ahem some basement grows.

I use these for wifi on all my rigs, work great and they are nice and cheap. I used one on my desktop for about 2 years before I started mining and now that same one is in a mining rig with no issues.

Yep, Twin Frozr III is just MSI's fancy name for their branded 7950. These are the cards I have for reference. Looks like you ordered the same card.

You'll be ok with any usb extension such as http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00001ZWXA?pc_redir=1404049568&robot_redir=1
Every now and then I see them at frys for like 2$ too, but yeah I'm running 3 Fury's and 1 gridseed off of a 10ft ish extension with a 4 port usb hub at the end with no problems.

If you have dogs or cats I'd buy 10-15 ft cables and chain them... My cats managed to go through 2 of these, so you'll be better off than finding a 50 ft cable (if that exists)

i bought the killowatt with the digital timer built in, so it's useful even when i'm not measuring anything. http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4480-Electricity-Electronic/dp/B001U638PM it paid for itself when i discovered i didn't need to upgrade the PSU in my PC to accommodate a new GPU card even while on full load. be sure to get a short extension cord when you buy any killowatt http://www.amazon.com/C2G-Cables-03137-Outlet-Extension/dp/B000233WJ6

ditto. I just bought a 4 pack of case fans from amazon. Does around 45 CFM at 2 Watts. I also have a squire cage exhaust fan I want to try out.

I do not recommend using an extension cable. Extension cables are usually not a good idea. I'd get a power cable like this at most: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002O0KM6G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

To use two on a single unit there should be instructions with the miner, but in case there isn't my understanding is just power on the hashing boards then controller. But I don't think it matters too much as it takes a while for the controller board to boot and find the hashing boards.

Correct. Dryer (30) and stove (50). Cable is a 10/3 100ft Conntek.

https://www.amazon.com/Conntek-RUL630PR-100-L6-30-Extension-100-Feet/dp/B074MNLD6R

Here ya go! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001ACQQA/

I went w/ this one, hanging over my crate rig.

Ah then you at least need a power switch or you can make a simple jumper (turn on your PS then use the jumper), here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKHfW8emEpY

EDIT: You can also buy a switch combo or just the power switch. http://www.amazon.com/Switch-Power-Style-Push-Button/dp/B000NWFEZQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1394311109&sr=8-4&keywords=computer+power+switch . Also I posted the wrong Youtube video initially sorry.

I have been using
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833210002
or
http://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Office-Wireless-Adapter-PCBOWAU2-N/dp/B003WUX2X2
with no problems, just boot with it plugged in, no drivers needed